Sample
Anaerobic Digestion Evidence
Availability and Gap Analysis
A s t r a t e g i c r e v i e w o f r e s e a r c h a n d a v a i l a b l e e v i d e n c e o n a n a e r o b i c d i g e s t i o n , w i t h a p r i o r i t i s e d a s s e s s m e n t o f g a p s a n d r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s f o r f u r t h e r w o r k
Report to Defra
Project Number WR1311
April 2011
Paul Frith, Frith Resource Management Ltd
Dr Jane Gilbert, Eco Alternatives Ltd
This research was commissioned and funded by Defra. The views expressed reflect the research findings and the authors’ interpretation. The inclusion of or reference to any particular policy in this report should not be taken to imply that it has, or will be, endorsed by Defra. Recommendations for further research will be considered and may be followed by further action where appropriate.
Executive Summary
This report is a summary of a rapid overview of evidence on completed and on-going research into anaerobic digestion of food and other waste e.g. paper, manures, crop residues and energy crops (however it was not limited to these feedstocks only). It has been conducted following the publication of Defra’s 2010 AD Framework Document, which sets the context for this study.
This report does not attempt to summarise all the available evidence on AD, as this would be an extremely large project. Instead it summarises key areas where evidence was found to be strong, partial or missing. Reference to select publications are made as part of an initial desk based data collation exercise, however, it is recognised that this is not intended to be comprehensive. Expert opinion from stakeholders, organisations and individuals has been sought to supplement the desk review.
In general, the evidence base was particularly strong in the following areas:
Process optimisation and characterisation – there is a large body of scientific evidence, as well as a number of dedicated web sites detailing process
Availability and Gap Analysis
A s t r a t e g i c r e v i e w o f r e s e a r c h a n d a v a i l a b l e e v i d e n c e o n a n a e r o b i c d i g e s t i o n , w i t h a p r i o r i t i s e d a s s e s s m e n t o f g a p s a n d r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s f o r f u r t h e r w o r k
Report to Defra
Project Number WR1311
April 2011
Paul Frith, Frith Resource Management Ltd
Dr Jane Gilbert, Eco Alternatives Ltd
This research was commissioned and funded by Defra. The views expressed reflect the research findings and the authors’ interpretation. The inclusion of or reference to any particular policy in this report should not be taken to imply that it has, or will be, endorsed by Defra. Recommendations for further research will be considered and may be followed by further action where appropriate.
Executive Summary
This report is a summary of a rapid overview of evidence on completed and on-going research into anaerobic digestion of food and other waste e.g. paper, manures, crop residues and energy crops (however it was not limited to these feedstocks only). It has been conducted following the publication of Defra’s 2010 AD Framework Document, which sets the context for this study.
This report does not attempt to summarise all the available evidence on AD, as this would be an extremely large project. Instead it summarises key areas where evidence was found to be strong, partial or missing. Reference to select publications are made as part of an initial desk based data collation exercise, however, it is recognised that this is not intended to be comprehensive. Expert opinion from stakeholders, organisations and individuals has been sought to supplement the desk review.
In general, the evidence base was particularly strong in the following areas:
Process optimisation and characterisation – there is a large body of scientific evidence, as well as a number of dedicated web sites detailing process
Links: 3 WR0212 DEFRA research report - Optimising the inputs/outputs of Anaerobic Digestion processes, 2009.